“I wasn’t nervous at all when I walked up to the mound, but when I looked up and saw my face on the Jumbotron in left field, then it hit me.”

Veteran righthander Steve Cromeenes got the call last week and made his first appearance on the mound at Cincinnati’s Great American Ball Park a memorable one.

A four seam fast ball right into batterymate Jason Turnbow’s mitt and Cromeenes’ work was done.

Cromeenes was selected in a company drawing to throw out the ceremonial first pitch in last Wednesday’s Chicago Cubs game in Cincinnati after designated pitcher Jim Nonnenborg [Great American Insurance executive] declined the honor.

Cromeenes’ debut on a major league field was witnessed by a crowd of about 18,000 fans, which included his wife, Peggy; and his son, Lucas; along with friends, Galen and Beth Shelton.

A special thanks goes out to G.A.B.P. field security officer Mike Graise who handled an awkward situation with the Sheltons’ field passes and got them, along with Cromeenes’ son, down on the field just in the nick of time to photograph the historic event.

Graise’s quick thinking and unfailing courtesy turned what could have been a great disappointment for the Massac Countians into a moment that will be forever remembered.

As far as the game went, the Reds posted a meaningless win over the Cubs.

With the way the Reds pitching has been lately, they quite possibly should have offered Cromeenes a job in the starting rotation while they had him there.